Philly Show
Posted: March 14th, 2009, 7:35 amMy dad and I made the trip down to King of Prussia yesterday for the famed "Philly Show." We had heard lots of good things so we made the four hour drive to see what all of the buzz was about. The best part of the show was meeting up with new and old collecting friends. It was great to spend time chatting with Matt (mghpro), Corey Leiby, Dave Bushing and Jon Kanuit. My dad finally got to meet long time collectors Howard Goldstein and Pat Nutteycombe.
As far as merchandise, there were a couple nice items but we didn't come home with any gloves. Pat N. had a gorgeous Rawlings personal model VBM - Vinegar Bend Mizell - mint in the box. The glove was like nothing I've come across from Rawlings before - it had the notch on the heel like I've seen on Wilsons and Spaldings. It read "Sizzler" on the pinky and had a picture of pitcher in the palm with the endorsement. The web had some dry rot issues but the rest of the glove was classic. If anyone is interested I have Pat's contact information.
John Kanuit had some nice gloves. He had a JC Higgins Grover Clevland Alexander that was top of the line and in good shape. There was a nice Spalding crescent in his case along with some other minty gloves. I thought about the crescent but passed at this time. I did pick up a circa 1915 University of Chicago pennant from him that will go well with our display.
Dave Bushing had a bunch of boxed gloves that you've probably seen on his MEARS site. The best thing he had was Sonnett Phog Allen basketball mint in the original box. I was salivating over it and he made me a trade offer that I'm seriously considering but I'd have to give up one of my boxed gloves that I like. Matt and my dad were looking at me wondering why I didn't make the deal right there because the ball was really nice!
My dad did pick up a great old bat - it's probably early 20th Century, thick handle, really cool stampings - BBC in the center label and Tiger Regulation on the barrel.
Overall, it was fun to take the day and check out the show. Although the merchandise was on the OK side, it was great to meet up with everyone and talk collecting!
As far as merchandise, there were a couple nice items but we didn't come home with any gloves. Pat N. had a gorgeous Rawlings personal model VBM - Vinegar Bend Mizell - mint in the box. The glove was like nothing I've come across from Rawlings before - it had the notch on the heel like I've seen on Wilsons and Spaldings. It read "Sizzler" on the pinky and had a picture of pitcher in the palm with the endorsement. The web had some dry rot issues but the rest of the glove was classic. If anyone is interested I have Pat's contact information.
John Kanuit had some nice gloves. He had a JC Higgins Grover Clevland Alexander that was top of the line and in good shape. There was a nice Spalding crescent in his case along with some other minty gloves. I thought about the crescent but passed at this time. I did pick up a circa 1915 University of Chicago pennant from him that will go well with our display.
Dave Bushing had a bunch of boxed gloves that you've probably seen on his MEARS site. The best thing he had was Sonnett Phog Allen basketball mint in the original box. I was salivating over it and he made me a trade offer that I'm seriously considering but I'd have to give up one of my boxed gloves that I like. Matt and my dad were looking at me wondering why I didn't make the deal right there because the ball was really nice!
My dad did pick up a great old bat - it's probably early 20th Century, thick handle, really cool stampings - BBC in the center label and Tiger Regulation on the barrel.
Overall, it was fun to take the day and check out the show. Although the merchandise was on the OK side, it was great to meet up with everyone and talk collecting!